The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-09-17
Allan Quartermain
BY H. Rider Haggard.
Author Of "She," "King Sole
Mons Mines,' "Jess," "The
Witch's Head,' Etc.

swer, the High Priest Agon took up the tale,
and In speech OF real eloquence and power
pointed out the many advantages Of tho pro
posed alliance-how II would consolidate the
kingdom; for Nasta's dominions, OF which no
was virtually king were TO Zu-Vendis much
what Scotland used to be to England; how It
would crafty tho wild mountaineers and DO
popular among the soldiery, for Nasta was a
famous general; how II would set her dynasty
!, firmly on tho throne and would gain the
blessing and approval of tho "Sun," 1. e., Of
the Office Of high priest, and so on. Many OF
his arguments were undoubtedly valid; and
there was, looking at 1t from political point
Of view, everything to be said for the mar
riage. But, unfortunately, 1t is difficult to
play the game of politics with the persons Of
young and lovely queens as though they were
ivory cfIigies Of themselves on chess board.
Nyleptha's face, while Agon spouted away,
was perfect study; she smiled, indeed, but
beneath the smile it set like stone, and her
eyes began to flash ominously.
At last he stopped. and she prepared herself
TO answer. Before she did so, however, Sorais
leaned toward her and said, in voice sufii-
GENTLY loud for me to catch what she said,
"Bethink thee well, my sister, ere thou dost
speak, for methinks that our thrones may
hang upon thy words"
Nyleptha made no answer, and with n
shrug and a smile, Sorais leaned back again
and listened.
"Of truth great honor has been done to
me, said, "that my poor hand should not
only have been asked in marriage, but that
Agon here should DO SO swift to pronounce
tho blessing Of the Sun upon my union. Me-
thinks that in another minute he would have
wed US fast ere the bride had said her say.
Nasta, l thank thee, and will bethink mo Of
thy words, but now as yet have no mind for
marriage; that is a cup Of which none know
the taste until they begin to drink 1t. Again
thank thee, Nasta," and she made rs though
she would rise.
The great lords face turned almost as
black-as his beard with fury, for he knew
! that the words amounted to final refusal Of
his suit.
"Thanks DO to the queen for her gracious
words" he said, restraining himself with diff
flculty and looking anything but grateful,
"my heart shall surely treasure them. And
now crave another boon, namely. the royal
leave to withdraw myself to my own poor
cities in the north until such time as the
queen shall say my suit nay or yea. May
hap" he added, with sheer, "the queen will
DO pleased to visit me there, api to bring
with her these stranger lords" and he
scowled darkly toward us. at is but poor
country and rough, but we are hardy
race Of mountaineers, and there shall be
gathered 10000 swordsmen to shout a well
come to her."
This speech, which was almost q declara-
ton Of rebellion. was received in complete
silence, but Nyleptha flushed up and an
swered it with spirit.
"Oh, surely, Nasta, will come, and tho
strange lords in my train, and for every man
of thy mountaineers who calls thee prince will
I bring two from the lowlands who call me
queen, and we will see which is the stanchest
breed. Till then farewell"
The trumpets blared out, the queens rose,
md the great assembly broke up in murmur-
ing confusion, and for myself went home
with heavy heart, foreseeing civil war.
After this there was quiet for few weeks
Curtis and the queen did not often meet, and
Exercised the utmost caution not to allow the
true relation in which they stood to each
other to leak out; but, do what they would,
rumors as hard to trace as a buzzing fly in q
dark room, and yet quite as audible, began to
hum round and round, and at last to settle on
her throne.